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(No` Model.)

J. A. HOWELL.

SHELL FOR HIGH EXPLOSIVES.`

' No. 373,459. Patented Nov. 22, 1887;

ffy. 1.

UNITED STATES JOHN A. .noWELnfon WASHINGTON, DIs'rnIor or COLUMBIA. i

PATENT QEEIOE.

SHELLl FOR HleH ExiDLoslvEs.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Let-ters Patent No, 375A59, dated November 2.2, 1887. Y

` Application filed January l5, 1887. Serial No;`224,445. `(No medeLl To all whom it may concern:

Be itfknown that I, J OHN A. HOWELL, a citi-y zen of the United States, residingin Washington, District of Columbia, 'have invented an Improvement in Projectiles known as Shells or Bombs,'of which the following is a specification.

Heretofore it has generally been customary to place the Wholeshellcharge in one chamber or cavity in the shell. Asa result, when the shell is propelled from the gun, the inertia of the charge is overcome by pressure proportional to the mass and acceleration, which pressure is communicated to the charge mass by the rear surface of the cavity, and the pressure per unit of mass (with the same charge) will vary inversely as this surface,which we shall call the accelerating-surface. Therefore the press ure on thecharge, although always the same in the aggregate for the same acceleration ot ve locity, may be reduced per unit by increasing the accelerating-surfaces, or (in other words) by nottransmitting the force from mass to mass, but by accelerating each small portion of the charge by its `own accelerating-surface.

In the ordinary shell thereis no acceleratingsurface for the 'angular velocity given by the riding; but the angular motion is gradually acquired bythe charge simply through friction. Thelongitudinal diaphragms, proposed to eii'ect the angular' acceleration about the longitudinal axis, are also useful in giving additional strength to the shelland facilities for fastening its parts together.

My improvement consists in dividing the charge-even minutely, if necessary, and providing means whereby each'portion may be accelerated in velocity Without dangerouslyl .affecting the other portions of the charge by causing pressures or movements sufiicient to produce premature explosion. I propose to effect this by the following means.

Figures l, 8, and 4 show sections ofshells differing in details of construction, but all exemplifying the same idea, viz: the portion within the exterior part, A, usually occupied by the shell-charge in bulk is divided into cells by longitudinal and transverse diaphragms, each cell being strong enough to resist the accelerating force without movement or distortion.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of one forinof auch cells. Within these/cells the charge divided into small portions is floating in a duid' of about equal density. By this method each particle would get the most perfect support, but probably in many cases a less cor'n plete ap-4 plication of the principle would suffice, as filling the cells with` the explosive compound' in mass Without division,with fluidtoflll cavi. ties and transmit the explosion, if necessary.

The invention practically gives the shell a core of cells, e'ach containing its charge, (dil vided and suspended in fluid, if necessary.)

The core can be built up in the shell, or it can be constructed separately, charged, and secured in the shell. It can be made as represented in the drawings or can be made of plastic matter, or the charges can be surrounded by liquid which becomes rigid by crystallization.

Fig. l shows a shell with movable baseplug a. A is the main portion of the shell consti-- tuting the exterior walls. B is alougitudinal diaphragm cast with the shell and forming part of it. In this case there are two longitudinal chambers, and these chambers are filled from the rear with the cell-boxes C, the bottoms and sides of which are strong enough to accelerate their charges, and the boxes themselves, (the sides being thicker as we appreach the basa) since in this case all the other boxes are accelerated by the rear one, and so on. Fig. 2 gives a different view of this kind of cell.

Fig. 3 shows a solid-base shell with onelongitudinal diaphragm attached. In this case the spindle portion separates from the cylinder on the line a' a', the nut and bolt hooking into the diaphragm, securing them together., The cells are formed by arched Itransverse diaphragms restingon steps cast in the other parts.

Fig. Ltshows another method of construction, the shell being built up lengthwise with the cells.

I claim as my invention- 1. A shell having its charge. chamber or chambers subdivided by a series of horizontal closed diaphragms separable from but secured against rotation relative to the shell, the cells ro: thus formed being filled with the charge, whereby full acceleration of all parts of the charge is secured without undue pressure on any part thereof, as set forth.

-2. AA shell having its 4charge chamber or chambers subdivided by a series of horizontal diaphragnxsseparable from but secured against rotation relative to the shell and braced against longitudinal thrust by supports bearing upon the base of the shell, as set forth.

3. A shell having its charge chamber or chambers subdivided by a series of horizontal diaphragms separable from but secured against rotation relative to the shell and braced against longitudinal thrust by a`v longitudinal dia phragm, against which such cross-partitions bear.

4. A shell having its charge chamber or chamberssubdivided by a series of cross-partitions'separable from the body of the shell,

charge-contai ning core .composedof a series of cells, the core being inserted into the outer body and secured against rotation relative to the outer body, the thrust due to its acceleration of velocity being received by said body 25 alone, or partially so, considering the breechplng as part of the core.

6. A shell having an outer body and a charge-containing core composed of a series of closed cells secured against rotation relative 3o to the body of the shell, and having thrustbearing against the same, the partitions forming such closed cells being separable from the body ofthe shell, and the cells of such core being lled with a fluid of suitable density, 35 holdingtheparticles ofexplosiveinsuspension.`

J. A. HOWELL. Witnesses: E. H. EAKLE, D. P. GoWL. 

